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Tap List | KC Oktoberfest Returns to Crown Center Prost!

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Above image credit: KC Oktoberfest crowd hoists a beer In celebration. (Courtesy | KC Bier Co.)
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5 minute read

While spring has only just sprung, KC Bier Co. already is looking ahead to the fall. Last week, the German-focused brewery officially announced the KC Oktoberfest celebration will be back again at Crown Center on Oct. 7-8. 

The festival is set up to mimic the traditional Oktoberfest that takes place in Germany. It includes large tents with family-style seating, two stages featuring traditional live music, food, games, retail vendors, family-friendly activities and of course plenty of beer and wine.

While the official beer of the festival will be KC Bier Co.’s Festbier, they’ll also have all five of their year-round mainstays – Dunkel, Hefeweizen, Helles Lager, Pure Pils, and Mandarina IPL – available on draft. If you want to take your drinking even more traditional, they’ll be selling commemorative beer steins in half and full liter sizes. For those who don’t drink beer, the festival will have two different German wines from Shlink Haus and hard cider.

KC Oktoberfest will feature traditional German fare such as Bavarian pretzels, brats, sausages, schnitzel, goulash and kasekuchen. There will be additional fan favorite foods available.

If you plan to travel in from out of town, the festival will feature special rates at both the nearby Westin and Sheraton hotels.

Tickets for the festival will officially go on sale starting on June 1, with advance prices running through midnight on Oct. 2. 

Beer Releases

ExBEERiment — 925 E. Lincoln Lane, Gardner, Kansas — just released Synergy, a 4.7% ABV mango sour ale. The beer has some elements of sweetness from the mango and of course a bit of sour tartness from the wild yeast. It’s the perfect beer for some summer sipping.

Pathlight Brewing — 11200 W. 75th St., Shawnee, Kansas — released a collaboration beer in honor of Kansas Craft Beer Week. Brewed with brewers from all over the state at Wichita Brewing, Kansas Strong is a hazy IPA. The beer has notes of orange with a big hop backbone. Pathlight only has one keg so be sure to get over there ASAP!

Rockcreek Brewing Co. — 5880 Beverly Ave., Mission, Kansas — has a new IPA for your drinking pleasure. Ladder Down is a classic American IPA that’s every bit citrusy as it is piney. The beer has a clean finish with a light, lingering bitterness and comes in at 7.2% ABV and 50 IBU.

Cinder Block’s limited hazy IPA, Hop Cuddle.
Cinder Block’s limited hazy IPA, Hop Cuddle. (Courtesy | Cinder Block Brewery)

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — put out this year’s version of their popular Hop Cuddle hazy IPA. Coming in at 6.2% ABV and 20 IBU, this beer has lots of tropical qualities. The fluffy mouthfeel leads to notes of grapefruit, mango and apricot. Come and get it while you can.

City Barrel — 1740 Holmes St., Kansas City, Missouri — took their Thank You saison and added an Asian-inspired twist to it. Like Thank You, Kind Regards is dry-hopped saison but this variant features Thai basil and black pepper. The aroma is slightly fruity with a hint of cedar with notes of citrus. The beer comes in at 7.6% ABV.

Boulevard Brewing Co. — 2501 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Missouri — is bringing you nostalgia in a can. Dream Vision is a Creamsicle-inspired orange vanilla ale. You’ll taste tangy orange and soft vanilla flavors with a slight hint of fruit from the Topaz and Bravo hops. While this may be more alcoholic than an actual Creamsicle, it is still a modest 5.7% ABV.

Rochester Brewing Co. — 2129 Washington St., Kansas City, Missouri — released the 10th iteration of their experimental New England IPA series. This version of DDH Hazy IPA X features Sultana hops along with a supporting cast of Idaho 7 and Simcoe. This blend leads to big flavors of pineapple and sweet citrus. The 7.1% ABV IPA finishes with a slight hop bitterness.

Strange Days Brewing Co. — 316 Oak St., Kansas City, Missouri — had a huge week with four new releases. The lowest ABV of the bunch is their new English mild called Cheeky Chav. It’s a deliciously malty beer that comes in at only 3.9% ABV. As we get a little bit higher on the ladder at 5.2% ABV, you’ll find their new kolsch, OF. While crisp and clean like a lager, it also has some fruity elements from the yeast. The last two are both hazy IPAs. Today’s Problem Is Tomorrow’s Problem is 6.7% ABV and hopped with Mosaic Incognito, Sabro Cryo and Amarillo. Full Slab is a big double hazy IPA at 8.6% ABV and is very fruity with flavors of orange, pineapple, and vanilla.

Beer Events

Thursday, May 5

Cinder Block Brewery — 110 E. 18th Ave., North Kansas City, Missouri — is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with their Cinco de Mayo at the Block event. They’ll be featuring various specials all day long. If you want to go the classic route, they’ll have drinks such as frozen margaritas, tequila shots and what they’re calling a “blocktail” called a cinderita. If you want beer, they’ll be offering discounts on their Cinderveza and introducing their new Strawberry Margarita Tart Ale.

The Goat Brewing Co. — 817 N.E. Rice Road, Lee’s Summit, Missouri — is also throwing a Cinco de Mayo party in their taproom. They have one keg each of their Cartel (lime salsa gose) and Cartel 2.0 (lime salsa gose with habanero and pineapple). They’ll be using those to make “Cartel-garitas”’ both regular and spicy. Their Racket Pineapple Jalapeno will also be back on draft. If that’s not your thing, they’ll be offering more traditional fare such as regular margaritas, tequila and taco hot dogs.

Servaes Brewing Co. — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Kansas — has quite a party planned for Cinco de Mayo. They’ll be releasing five Mexican-themed beers including the re-release of one of their most popular stouts, Aztec Alchemist. In addition to the beer releases, they have the Taco Via food truck on site for all your taco needs. To round it out, Kendra’s Kitchen will be doing a salsa pop-up at the brewery from 5-8 p.m.

Saturday, May 7

KC Summer Beer Fest — 10921 Johnson Drive, Shawnee, Missouri — is taking place at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday night. The beer fest features over 60 breweries, more than 150 beers, and will have lawn games and food. Early admission and VIP tickets will not only feature early access to the festival (6-7 p.m.), but also access to the locker room, media room, VIP lounge and commemorative glassware. Tickets range from $50-$90 based on the type of ticket you buy and can be purchased here.

Crane Brewing Co. — 6515 Railroad St., Raytown, Missouri — has a very tasty event lined up. They’re throwing Ecrane de la Luna in collaboration with Eclairs de la Luna. This event will feature a guided pastry and beer pairing. You’ll get the opportunity to try five different pairings consisting of five four-ounce pours, one full beer and six different pastries. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased here.

Brew Lab — 7925 Marty St., Overland Park, Kansas — wants you to grab the biggest hat and you have a swing on into their brewery. They’ll be hosting a Kentucky Derby Watch Party. They’ll be offering cocktails, games and live music post race. Whether you want to sip on a Mint Julep and pretend you’re at the derby in person or simply sip on some beers, Brew Lab will have something for everyone.

Sunday, May 8

ExBEERiment — 925 E Lincoln Lane, Gardner, Kansas — is throwing a little party to honor all of the moms out there. They are hosting a Mother’s Day Steal the Glass event. When you buy a full pour of beer for mom, she’ll get to keep the glass. ExBEERiment will also be offering refreshments, but only while supplies last so be sure to get there early.

Alex Andujar is a former beer sales rep turned personal trainer. When he’s not training clients you can find him trying new beers at many of Kansas City’s great local breweries.

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